Temple University Athletics
Chaney and Temple To Receive Wanamaker Award
6.21.00 | Men's Basketball
The 1999-2000 basketball season may have ended a little earlier than Coach
John Chaney and the Temple Owls would have liked, but it was an award-winner
nonetheless. The Philadelphia Sports Congress announced this week that
Chaney and the Owls are recipients of the 2000 John Wanamaker Athletic
Award, presented annually since 1961 to the "athlete, team or organization
that has done the most to reflect credit upon Philadelphia and to the team
or sport in which they excel."
In addition, Sixers President Pat Croce will receive the fifth annual
Philadelphia Sports Congress Community Service Award and Track & Field
legend Jim Tuppeny will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at ceremonies
to be held in the Wanamaker Building in Philadelphia on June 21st. This
year marks the 40th anniversary of the Wanamaker Award, and several former
winners will also be on hand for the festivities.
Despite a disappointing loss in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, the
Temple Owls finished the season with a 27-6 record and a No. 5 national
ranking. Chaney, who collected his 400th career victory at Temple with a
win at No. 1 Cincinnati in February, led the Owls to the Atlantic 10
Championship and earned his fifth A-10 Coach of the Year title. Point guard
Pepe Sanchez was named A-10 Player of the Year and earned 3rd Team
All-American honors. In addition, Mark Karcher was named to the
All-Conference First Team, and Quincy Wadley was named A-10 Sixth Man of the
Year.
Croce will receive the PSC Community Service Award, presented annually to
the "individual, business or organization that has done the most to
contribute to the quality of life in Philadelphia through sports." With his
dynamic leadership at the helm of the 76ers, President Pat Croce has almost
single-handedly revitalized professional basketball in the city of
Philadelphia in just four short years. Under the banner of "Your Sixers,
Our Community," he has also spearheaded a wide array of community
initiatives and charitable efforts by the organization.
Jim Tuppeny will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Sports
Congress. He has been a driving force in the growth of track & field in the
Philadelphia area as a coach and administrator for nearly 50 years,
including long coaching stints at Penn and Villanova (where he still serves
as Associate Head Coach).
In addition, Tuppeny served as Penn Relays Director from 1970-1987 and the
first Sports Congress Executive Director from 1987-1990. Tuppeny is a
member of the Halls of Fame of LaSalle University, the University of
Pennylvania and the PA High School Coaches Association.
"We sometimes take for granted the people we have in our own backyard," said
Sports Congress Chairman Robert P. Levy. "John Chaney, Pat Croce and Jim
Tuppeny are all tremendous people and incredibly successful at what they do.
They have each touched countless lives through their efforts, and we are
very proud to honor them this year."
The award ceremony and luncheon is presented by the Philadelphia Sports
Congress, Amerimar Wanamaker Management Company, KYW3 and the Philadelphia
Daily News. KYW's Beasley Reece will emcee the event.
For more information, contact Larry Needle at 215/636-3417.
